The 2012 event for the waste management and recycling industries saw a 6% increase in attendance from 2011 when 12,800 people visited. More than 72 countries were represented with over 700 exhibitors and more than 150 speakers taking part.
Commenting on the exhibition, which was organised in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM), Steve Lee CIWM chief executive said: Our industry is moving fast and knowledge and skills are more important than ever. With this years packed conference programme and unrivalled networking opportunities, professionals from both the public and the private sector had a fantastic opportunity to gain and share knowledge, experience and good practice to equip them for some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Below are some of the highlights from the exhibition, including the new product launches, contract announcements, and name changes.
UNTHA UK
Showcasing its range of machinery, UNTHA UKs stand featured the RS100, RS30, LRK1000 and the TR3200 shredders. As well as its shredders, UNTHAs team were on hand to offer one-to-one demonstrations and consultations with visitors.
Managing director, Chris Oldfield, said: We always come away from RWM with numerous leads, contacts and appointments to follow up, but never before has an organisation with no prior UNTHA UK relationship finalised the sale before leaving the event. This is a testament to the quality of our technology and expertise, and also the nature of focused delegates which RWM attracts.
JCB
Also showcasing its new range of machines for the waste and recycling industry, JCBs stand included the 4CX Wastemaster backhoe loader, 527-58WM telehandler, the 20-tonne JS20MH material handler and the TLT 30D 4×4 Teletruk forklift.
The new 4CX features a 75kW JCB Dieselmax engine and incorporates innovations such as Advanced EasyControl and 4-speed Powershift transmission with TorqueLock. Its attachments include grabs for handling waste and a sweeper collector. In addition, it features a lift for manoeuvring bins and skips.
Clarity
Environmental compliance and recycling company Clarity Environmental also exhibited at this years RWM. The company has recently announced that it has changed the name of its packaging compliance scheme, Clearpak, to Clarity. In addition, it is offering increased training and consultative support to members, helping them to reduce their waste and generate their own PRNs from waste streams.
David Adams, managing director, said: This is all part of a streamlining exercise. With our business expanding and the Clarity brand getting stronger, we can now offer our customers more services and support. With all of our divisions working closely together and with the same vision, it makes sense to have them operating under one name.
Clarity also used the RWM exhibition to give visitors a live demonstration of a new innovative web system designed to help its customers work more efficiently.
Tetronics
Tetronics, supplier of plasma plants for hazardous waste treatment and metal recovery, has also rebranded to Tetronics International. The company said the rebrand formally marks the companys expanding global business.
Stephen Davies, chief executive for Tetronics International, said: After one of our biggest years yet, Tetronics international rebrand marks our vision for further expansion and on-going collaboration with our experienced global partners.
Blue Group
News of a deal between the Blue Group and Weir Waste Services broke at the exhibition. The Blue Group is set to supply a range of Doppstadt, Kiverco and Titech equipment for a commercial and industrial materials recycling facility (MRF) being developed by the Birmingham-based waste management firm.
The multi-million pound facility in Oldbury, West Midlands, is set to be operational from April 2013 and will be able to process 25 tonnes of waste per hour.
Managing director of Weir, Daniel Weir, said: Weir Waste Services enjoy a fantastic relationship with Blue Group which is crucial with such a large scale project. We have 3 existing plants from Blue and we are confident that the implementation and operation of the MRF will be another success story.
FCC Environment
C&I waste was also part of the focus of FCC Environment, formerly Focsa Services and WRG, at RWM, which highlighted the work it was undertaking to develop 17 facilities for handling the material stream. The facilities include two composting sites, four energy-from-waste facilities and materials transfer and recycling facilities.
Commenting on its focus on C&I waste, Paul Burnell, C&I director at FCC Environment, said: We have listened to our customers, business leaders and the government and in response to the growing demand for tailored recycling services that address the needs of SMEs in particular, FCC Environment is now heavily investing in infrastructure.
The investment demonstrates FCCs commitment to supporting business of all sizes to recycle more and generate energy from what cannot be recycled.
Semple Fraser
Meanwhile, commercial law specialist Semple Fraser and consultancy firm Envirolink launched a report on Electricity Market Reform and the impact on Energy from Waste. The report analyses the short and long term impacts of the feed-in-tariff contract for difference (FiT CfD) which the government has proposed to replace the current support mechanism for low carbon electricity generation the Renewables Obligation.
The report looks at the impact of the scheme on the energy from waste sector and discusses whether Contracts for Difference can in fact support future investment for the Energy from Waste sector.
Looking at the short term, it highlights concerns about a potential halt in investment and development of new capacity prior to the FiT CfD coming into force. In the long term, it questions whether the scheme is able to help EfW projects unlock finance.
Textiles
A touch of glamour was added to RWM by the catwalk show, which was co-sponsored by textile recyclers I&G Cohen, Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL), and Chris Careys Collections.
Salford-based I&G Cohen said that it saw an increasing number of enquiries from local authorities about textile recycling at RWM. Director Phil Geller, said: Its clear that many more councils are recognising the value in unwanted textiles that can generate additional income if they partner with a reliable full-service supplier.
Exhibitors
Other exhibitors at the event included: Clarke Energy, which showcased its range of GE Jenbacher technology; Mach Tech Services, which launched the Urraco slow-speed two shaft shredder and the Meteor 2200 shredder; Knowaste, which offered information on its nappy-recycling solutions; Quirius UK, which launched two pieces of software; and Vecoplan, which showcased its range of plant and machinery.
Plans are already underway for the 2013 event which is set to take place from Tuesday September 10 to Thursday September 12, and will once again be co-located with the Energy Event and the Renewables Event.
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